Germany - Stuttgart and beyond

ElecKtrA

Hi Guys,

Planning a trip to Germany soon.

Flying from Dublin to Suttgart...which will be more or less my base for the week.

Any tips on what to see and things to do around this area? I am willing to travel about 3-4hrs radius out from my base.

Would appreciate some tips!

Thanks

munchkin_utd

well.... Munich is 2 hours to the east, and half ways between is Legoland germany.
To the south (west) is the black forest. Not much to do there, but its middlin picturesque.
To the north is Heidelburg, Rhine Valley, lots of castles and whatnot. Possibly a good direction to investigate.
And to the north east is the Romantic road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and whatnot. Also well worth a visit.

marialouise

The only time I ever flew to Stuttgart was to get to Strasbourg, and the train (through voyages-sncf) was not expensive and didn't take too long, so don't limit yourself to Germany

ElecKtrA

munchkin_utd wrote: »

well.... Munich is 2 hours to the east, and half ways between is Legoland germany.
To the south (west) is the black forest. Not much to do there, but its middlin picturesque.
To the north is Heidelburg, Rhine Valley, lots of castles and whatnot. Possibly a good direction to investigate.
And to the north east is the Romantic road, Rothenburg ob der Tauber and whatnot. Also well worth a visit.

Hi,

Thanks so much for all the info!

I definitely wanted to check out Heidelburg - as it's not too far and apparently one of the top ten places to visit in German. I will be staying about 45mins outside of Stuttgart towards the south. I will be visiting Lake Constance as I have a friend who lives in this area.

I also wanted to explore Munich but really because of Neuschwanstein Castle !

ElecKtrA

marialouise wrote: »

The only time I ever flew to Stuttgart was to get to Strasbourg, and the train (through voyages-sncf) was not expensive and didn't take too long, so don't limit yourself to Germany

Hi,

Thanks for the tip!

Cool...will definitely look into that as well

spurious

See can you get a daytrip train to Dresden - lovely spot.

ElecKtrA

thanks...will look into where Dresden is :-)

man98

Dresden is a good distance away. I highly recommend Munich, lovely place and cheap trains.

munchkin_utd

man98 wrote: »

Dresden is a good distance away. I highly recommend Munich, lovely place and cheap trains.

I don't think some quite get the geography of Germany.
South of Stuttgart is the corner of Switzerland and France.
Dresden is almost Poland.
That's a long long long distance.

spurious

Yeah, it would probably need an overnight, but a stunning city and location.

munchkin_utd

spurious wrote: »

Yeah, it would probably need an overnight, but a stunning city and location.

to be honest its middling, but the combination of bleak commie architecture along with the impressive opera house is interesting I suppose.
Not sure if its worth an 9hours each way journey up there though (taking a town like Tuttlingen as a reference starting point).

spurious

I particularly like it because it's not huge like Munich, but each to their own. I had visited it when it was still a bombsite so it's great to see it back, even if still only a shadow of its former glory.

random_guy

Daimler Museum, Porsch Museum, Beer festival is on until the 12th of October, the T.V. tower is cool with a really good view but is still closed I think.
Esslingen to the south is very nice for a wander round, Tübingen also.

http://www.outletcity.com/de/metzingen/ is where Hugo Boss was born and is now just a town full of shops so if you want to do some shopping.

If you're going as far as Heidelberg then the museum in Speyer could also be worth a trip if it's what your're into http://www.technik-museum.de‎. Same as the Deutsches Museum in Munich if you're over that way (allow many hours )

Do it in advance and you can organise tours of Daimlers museum and see the robots doing their dance

My former local was in the village of Vaihingen (U1 from Stuttgart Stadtmitte) called Malwurf. Very small, non-smoking room in the back, 2 different beers every month and good staff/service. maulwurf-stuttgart.de‎ (not an Irish pub)

I can maybe think of more later.

ElecKtrA

random_guy wrote: »

Daimler Museum, Porsch Museum, Beer festival is on until the 12th of October, the T.V. tower is cool with a really good view but is still closed I think.
Esslingen to the south is very nice for a wander round, Tübingen also.

http://www.outletcity.com/de/metzingen/ is where Hugo Boss was born and is now just a town full of shops so if you want to do some shopping.

If you're going as far as Heidelberg then the museum in Speyer could also be worth a trip if it's what your're into http://www.technik-museum.de‎. Same as the Deutsches Museum in Munich if you're over that way (allow many hours )

Do it in advance and you can organise tours of Daimlers museum and see the robots doing their dance

My former local was in the village of Vaihingen (U1 from Stuttgart Stadtmitte) called Malwurf. Very small, non-smoking room in the back, 2 different beers every month and good staff/service. maulwurf-stuttgart.de‎ (not an Irish pub)

I can maybe think of more later.

Thanks for your suggestions

I will be based in Heilbronn..where my friend is staying whilst at university - but her home is near Lake Constance, which is where we will stay for a few days too.

I'm considering taking a trip to Heidleberg...as well as it isn't too far from Heilbronn. We also plan to experience Oktoberfest in Stuttgart (not Munich..so hopefully immerse ourselves into the real German experience lol).

I'm really hoping to get to Munich...it may not be entirely possible on this trip...and I really don't want to rush it...especially as I would like to take my time to see Munich and the castle

munchkin_utd

ElecKtrA, Neuschwanstein is a good 2 hours from Munich, but on the stuttgart side.

If youre in Heilbronn then youre no distance from Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You wouldnt believe how nice that place is. And Würzburg is a stonesthrow beyond, but at that stage you might as well just do an overnight and enjoy the place.

ElecKtrA

munchkin_utd wrote: »

ElecKtrA, Neuschwanstein is a good 2 hours from Munich, but on the stuttgart side.

If youre in Heilbronn then youre no distance from Rothenburg ob der Tauber. You wouldnt believe how nice that place is. And Würzburg is a stonesthrow beyond, but at that stage you might as well just do an overnight and enjoy the place.

Oooh..really had no idea that the castle was two hours from Munich!!! :rolleyes:
I clearly need to do my research soon - as I'm leaving next week and only booked it today!!

I'm going to take your word regarding Rothenburg..I think it's worth exploring...I just google it...it's right up my street...Medieval ..says it all
Wurzberg too....awesome! I like! Will definitely fits these places into my itinerary
Cheers again

random_guy

ElecKtrA wrote: »

Thanks for your suggestions

I will be based in Heilbronn..where my friend is staying whilst at university - but her home is near Lake Constance, which is where we will stay for a few days too.

I'm considering taking a trip to Heidleberg...as well as it isn't too far from Heilbronn. We also plan to experience Oktoberfest in Stuttgart (not Munich..so hopefully immerse ourselves into the real German experience lol).

I'm really hoping to get to Munich...it may not be entirely possible on this trip...and I really don't want to rush it...especially as I would like to take my time to see Munich and the castle

Actually I always find Cannstatter Wasen (Stuttgart) better than Oktoberfest because there's way less crowds and a much better chance of getting into a tent and getting a seat inside.
Plus as a top tip: Tuesdays in the Goeckelesmaier tent they used to do 2 for one for every Maß. It saves a fortune. I don't know if they're doing it this year but your friend can drop them an email and see.

Munich I would leave for another time, there's a lot to see and do and getting to Neuschwanstein is a day trip in itself.

I've never been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber but I hear nothing but praise. Although it will be most likely full of tour busses.

As you head towards Konstanz you could detour to a little village called Alpirsbach in the Schwarzwald. There's a brewery there that do cracking beer. Probably one of the best you'll find.

When you say "near Lake Constanz" is it the west, east or middle? The west would leave you no distance to Zurich and the east basically in the Alps and places like Obersdorf, Kepmten and Füssen (Castle).

Schalker

What you call Stuttgarter Octoberfest is

Cannstatter Volksfest

26. September - 12. Oktober 2014

look here at goeckelesmaier.de/homepage

Our tent is considered the one with the richest history at the Stuttgart Festival. The tent is not only known for offering the best roosters, but also for many other specialities. Enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and great bands in our cosy festival tent. We look forward to your visit!

ElecKtrA

Schalker wrote: »

What you call Stuttgarter Octoberfest is

Cannstatter Volksfest

26. September - 12. Oktober 2014

look here at goeckelesmaier.de/homepage

Our tent is considered the one with the richest history at the Stuttgart Festival. The tent is not only known for offering the best roosters, but also for many other specialities. Enjoy the fantastic atmosphere and great bands in our cosy festival tent. We look forward to your visit!

Thank you

Yes I will be definitely looking forward to this festival and will call by the tent for sure! :cool:

ElecKtrA

random_guy wrote: »

Actually I always find Cannstatter Wasen (Stuttgart) better than Oktoberfest because there's way less crowds and a much better chance of getting into a tent and getting a seat inside.
Plus as a top tip: Tuesdays in the Goeckelesmaier tent they used to do 2 for one for every Maß. It saves a fortune. I don't know if they're doing it this year but your friend can drop them an email and see.

Munich I would leave for another time, there's a lot to see and do and getting to Neuschwanstein is a day trip in itself.

I've never been to Rothenburg ob der Tauber but I hear nothing but praise. Although it will be most likely full of tour busses.

As you head towards Konstanz you could detour to a little village called Alpirsbach in the Schwarzwald. There's a brewery there that do cracking beer. Probably one of the best you'll find.

When you say "near Lake Constanz" is it the west, east or middle? The west would leave you no distance to Zurich and the east basically in the Alps and places like Obersdorf, Kepmten and Füssen (Castle).

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Yes, it's looking unlikely that I will get to incorporate Munich and the castle into the trip...but I'm sure i'll get to see and do loads while over there.

I'm not exactly sure about the exact location on Lake Constanz...but I will find that out....love to see the Alps

Any tips of nice bakeries would also be appreciated :pac:

random_guy

ElecKtrA wrote: »

Thanks again for all the feedback.

Yes, it's looking unlikely that I will get to incorporate Munich and the castle into the trip...but I'm sure i'll get to see and do loads while over there.

I'm not exactly sure about the exact location on Lake Constanz...but I will find that out....love to see the Alps

Any tips of nice bakeries would also be appreciated :pac:

Bakeries?
Like for your bread and Croissants? Every village will have a few and in most built up areas there'll always be a few dotted around. Just a case of asking someone.

Or do you mean proper cake/sweet shop? In that case I don't really know of any. Although Sunday is normally Coffee and cake day.

And I totally forgot. If you're in Friedricshafen then the Zeppelin Museum is there which is very nice. Plus they still have them in that area so when you're around the lake keep an eye up and one might float past you

ElecKtrA

random_guy wrote: »

Bakeries?
Like for your bread and Croissants? Every village will have a few and in most built up areas there'll always be a few dotted around. Just a case of asking someone.

Or do you mean proper cake/sweet shop? In that case I don't really know of any. Although Sunday is normally Coffee and cake day.

And I totally forgot. If you're in Friedricshafen then the Zeppelin Museum is there which is very nice. Plus they still have them in that area so when you're around the lake keep an eye up and one might float past you

Friedricshafen sounds like a must!!! ...and the Zeppelin Museum!!! :cool: Cheers again for the tip!

Haha...yes..I was referring to cakes/sweets ..I won't be tied down to a treadmill for the week so I definitely want to explore some patisseries..i'm very interested in baking (both enjoying the art of baking and of course the finish product) so I'm open to any suggestions on must go to patisseries! :)

AlanS181824

Are you there now?

How are you getting on?

ElecKtrA

AlanS181824 wrote: »

Are you there now?

How are you getting on?

Nope....all going well and that I don't miss my flight ...I should be there tomorrow afternoon :cool:


Fingers crossed weather will be reasonably nice

I shall post back here upon my return and let you know how I got on, if you like

munchkin_utd

pm

ElecKtrA wrote: »

Nope....all going well and that I don't miss my flight ...I should be there tomorrow afternoon :cool:


Fingers crossed weather will be reasonably nice

I shall post back here upon my return and let you know how I got on, if you like

not sure how late you land tomorrow, but tonight from 9pm till tomorrow morning 6am theres a rail strike in germany.
It'll be a little later before all services run properly again and all trains are back where they are supposed to be, but you should be fine if landing in during the late morning.

Its something though to keep an eye on over your stay

ElecKtrA

munchkin_utd wrote: »

pm
not sure how late you land tomorrow, but tonight from 9pm till tomorrow morning 6am theres a rail strike in germany.
It'll be a little later before all services run properly again and all trains are back where they are supposed to be, but you should be fine if landing in during the late morning.

Its something though to keep an eye on over your stay

You're very good!!!:cool:;) Thanking you so much for informing of this :cool:

Fortunately enough I've a friend collecting me from the airport

But I was planning on taking the train (s) at some stage during my visit...so hopefully strike will be over by then! :rolleyes:

Cheers again!

random_guy

Long distance busses.
Very new to Germany but as far as my experience goes, they're brilliant. (It's a shame your're at the mercy of the German roadworks)

https://www.fahrtenfuchs.de/